When Terrance Malick releases a film, it's usually an event. The guy doesn't direct very often, and every movie he's done has been great. I find it surprising his latest movie (and only his fourth so far), The New World, was released with little fanfare. Maybe it's because we were too busy dealing with the arrival of Munchkin No. 2 that I didn't take time to notice how well this movie did in the theater, but I was shocked to find this movie already available for rental.
The New World is the story of Pocahontas, and how her presence affects those around her. The story is initially told from the point of view of the British arriving to the New World (with great use of Richard Wagner's Ring music!), but once Pocahontas shows up, the focus of the movie is on her. I have to say this is the most historic version of Pocahontas I've seen on film, although the Smith/Pocahontas relationship is still romanticized.
Malick knows how to film nature and match it against what's going on in his story. He did an excellent job of it in The Thin Red Line, and he does it again in his latest movie. The Disney version also uses the theme of nature, however it works better here considering the "virgin" territory the Europeans land upon.
Malick also likes to delve into the characters' thoughts and motivations through voiceover. The dude uses it so much that there seems to be more internalizing than there is dialogue. I would have liked a tad more vocal interaction between the characters, but that's just me.
It's too bad I was too busy to see this at the theaters. Seeing and hearing it on a big screen probably would've been gorgeous.
Movie DVD New World Terrance Malick Pocahontas
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